Chamwe Kaira
Early construction works at the Etango Uranium Project are progressing on schedule and within budget, with Bannerman Energy reporting steady progress across infrastructure and engineering activities.
The company said site activity has increased, with more than 560 contractor personnel deployed and over 500 000 lost-time injury-free hours recorded. The project maintains a 17-year LTI-free safety record.
Bulk earthworks are about 66.5% complete and remain on track. Work includes the development of heap leach pads, associated ponds and wet plant terraces.
Blasting, crushing and screening of heap leach drainage aggregate have reached about 24% of total requirements and meet specification standards.
Concrete works under Phase 1 and Phase 2A are also progressing. A total of 5,509 cubic metres of concrete has been poured for structures such as the primary crusher, stockpile tunnel and fine ore silo, representing about 32% of the planned volume. Foundations for major components are complete, with structural works continuing.
Progress on long-term infrastructure is advancing. Installation of Phase 1 of the permanent water supply pipeline is about 70% complete and slightly ahead of schedule. Work includes pump station foundations, pipeline excavations and a pipe bridge over the Swakop River. Engagements with NamWater on a long-term water supply agreement are ongoing.
On power supply, Bannerman has signed an agreement with NamPower. Design work is underway for a feeder bay at the Kuiseb substation. The design of an acid storage and handling facility at Walvis Bay is about 39% complete.
Engineering and procurement activities are moving in line with the project timeline. The civil and mechanical design for the dry plant is about 93% complete, while the wet plant design is ongoing with optimisation work underway. Final construction drawings are expected later this year.
Bannerman’s managing director and chief executive officer, Gavin Chamberlain, said the project is developing at a “visible and impressive pace,” with early works supporting the path toward a final investment decision and full construction expected later in 2026.
The Etango project is one of Namibia’s planned uranium developments and is expected to support future uranium supply as demand for nuclear energy grows.
